200 Series Shinkansen

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200 Series Shinkansen
200 Series train set (refurbished type) at Tokyo Station
In service	1982 - Present
Manufacturer	Nippon Sharyo, Hitachi, Kawasaki, Tokyu
Refurbishment	1999 - 2002
Number built	700 vehicles (66 sets)
Formation	10 cars per trainset (8, 12, 16 cars in past)
Operator	JR East
Depots	Niigata
Lines served	Jōetsu Shinkansen, Tōhoku Shinkansen
Specifications
Car body	Aluminium
Car length	25,000 mm
Width	3,385 mm
Height	4,410 mm
Maximum speed	240 km/h
Gauge	1,435 mm
Voltage	25 kV AC, 50 Hz overhead

The 200 Series Shinkansen trainsets were built for the Tōhoku Shinkansen and Jōetsu Shinkansen dedicated high-speed rail lines in Japan. They actually predate the 100 Series Shinkansen, having been built between 1980 and 1986.

They resemble the earlier 0 Series Shinkansen in styling (some later units had the pointed 'shark nose' of the 100 Series), but are lighter and more powerful, since these two lines are mountain routes and have steeper grades. These lines are also prone to snowfall and the trains have small snowplows fitted, as well as protection of equipment against snow.

They were originally painted in ivory with a green window band and lower bodyside band, but a number of sets were refurbished and painted into a white-upper/dark blue-lower scheme with new wrap-around cab windows from 1999.

The first units were capable of 210 km/h (130 mph) but later ones can do 240 km/h (150 mph), and four were converted to be capable of 275 km/h (170 mph). Some units were also modified with retractable couplers in the nose for coupling with Yamagata Shinkansen 'Tsubasa' and Akita Shinkansen 'Komachi' mini shinkansen sets, but these are no longer in service. In addition, some of the later 200 series shinkansen trains were fitted with double-deck cars, which had semi-open standard-class compartments on the lower deck and green class (first class) seating on the upper deck. These too have been removed from service.

Withdrawal of the earlier units began in 1997, and the last remaining unrefurbished set was withdrawn in May 2007.

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